COVID-19 in Ukraine: 425 dead, 16,023 cases, 375 new infections

The number of officially confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine has reached 16,023 as of 9 a.m. on May 12, according to Ukraine’s health ministry. In total, 425 people have died from the disease in Ukraine and 3,373 patients have recovered.

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine has identified 375 new COVID-19 cases and 85 people have recovered. The number of daily recoveries has decreased compared to the several days prior, when the health ministry reported that around 300 people recovered every day.

Among confirmed cases, 1,105 are children and 3,114 are medical workers, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during the morning briefing on May 12.

Ukraine has carried out 187,238 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the most accurate way of diagnosing COVID-19, of which 5,678 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

Chernivtsi Oblast in western Ukraine remains the largest hotbed of the disease with 2,396 confirmed cases. It is followed by the city of Kyiv with 1,930 cases and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast with 1,133 cases. These numbers indicate the total cases confirmed since the beginning of the pandemic, not just active ones.

Ukraine reported the largest single-day number of new COVID-19 cases — 578 — on April 22. After that, the daily number of cases has generally ranged from 400 and 550, without a clear downward trend.

Ukraine’s daily COVID-19 cases, deaths and recoveries from April 7 to May 11, 2020. All data were released by the Ministry of Health. (Bermet Talant)

Ukraine’s daily new COVID-19 cases and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the most accurate way of diagnosing the novel coronavirus, between April 7 and May 11. All data was published by the Ministry of Health.

What will open in Kyiv and Ukraine on May 11-12

On May 4, the government  announced a major rollback of the quarantine restrictions starting May 11-12 that included summer terraces of cafes and parts of shopping malls.

The businesses that will be allowed to open in Kyiv on May 12 include:

• hairdressers and beauty salons;

• all stores that are up to 300 square meters in space; the number of customers inside simultaneously shouldn’t exceed one person per 10 square meters;

• restaurants will be allowed to sell take-out (although many were already doing it) and seat customers on summer terraces (with a set of restrictions);

• manufacturing enterprises and businesses offering various services (repairs, clothing ateliers, etc.); they will also need to ensure that no more than one person — either a client or an employee — per one square meter is inside the building at any time;

• the offices of lawyers and notaries;

The government will also allow people to visit parks, but it should be no more than two adults in one group. They can take up to two children with them.

Other places in Ukraine may see even more restrictions lifted. The Cabinet of Ministers’ list of businesses that can reopen also includes shopping malls, kiosks (including those selling food and beverages), museums, libraries and dentistry practices.

At the same time, gyms, fitness centers, food courts in shopping malls, universities, schools, kindergartens, cinemas and drama theaters still will be closed across Ukraine.

Special measures in Chernivtsi Oblast

In Chernivtsi Oblast, the region worst hit by COVID-19, local authorities decided on May 12 to extend the ban on opening non-essential stores, dental practices, children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms. They also continue to require masks in public places.

At the same time, the oblast has allowed cafes and restaurants to resume takeout and delivery service and museums, law and notary offices and psychology practices to reopen.

Public transportation  

The Ukrainian government will gradually reintroduce public transportation in Ukrainian cities starting May 11, even though the quarantine is scheduled to last until May 22. However, it has not specified what kind of transport will relaunch. Health Minister Stepanov said on May 6 that it is up to city mayors to decide.

In Kyiv, only the number of trams and trolleys will be increased, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Subways in three Ukrainian cities, including the Kyiv Metro, won’t work until at least June.

Global virus outbreak

Globally, COVID-19 has infected over 4.25 million people. In total, 287,282 people have died as of the morning of May 12; 1.53 million patients have recovered.